Fringing, Quidditch and film fests: 10 things to do this week

Supplied08.21.2013

Riverfest: Edmonton’s favourite water fight was conceived in 1960 around a table full of beer, where the boys from what was then known as Edmonton Power were swapping ideas for a weekend of fun. A raft race from Devon to Edmonton, a distance of 32 kilometres, seemed worth a try. It’s changed somewhat since then, but 54 years in and the Sourdough Raft Race still revolves around the full-sized raft race, which launches from Terwillegar at high noon. A canoe race will also take place, as well as a new event, the two-person raft race. There are a variety of kids’ activities on shore at Terwillegar such as kite decorating, breakfast for early risers and food trucks to tend to the lunch crowd at both Terwillegar and Rafter’s Landing. When: Sunday, Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Terwillegar Park to Rafter’s Landing. Admission: Free to watch, entry fees for rafts and canoes. Info: sourdoughraftrace.com

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Cannon Bros.: They’re a stripped-down two-piece consisting of guitars and drums, but Winnipeg’s Cannon Bros. manage to make an impressive sound with very few musical tools. Think Pavement meets Yo La Tengo or early Replacements meets an edgier, less religious version of the Carpenters; check them out at Wunderbar with Haunter and Animal Teeth. When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 9 p.m. Where: Wunderbar, 8120 101st St. Admission: $10 Info: wunderbar-edmonton.comSupplied

The Mosquers: The Mosquers is a video contest encouraging people to make a short film about Muslims or Islam in Canada. In its sixth year, The Mosquers has achieved many milestones, from being the first of its kind video contest celebrating Muslim culture and identity to bridging the gap between the different and diverse communities in Alberta. Since its inception The Mosquers has grown to be one of Alberta’s première Muslim events showcasing work from all over the province. This year, Mosquers is bringing international comedian Maz Jobrani to the awards night for the entertainment break. When: Saturday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. Where: Jubilee Auditorium. Admission: $20 to $25, available on the website. Info: mosquers.comSupplied

Harry Potter: Join your local Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) chapter, Edmonton PotterWatch, for a Saturday filled with food, fun and magic. Meet some professional(ish) Quidditch Players from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary, and try a hand at the sport yourself. Come out to discover more about what it means to be in a real world Dumbledore’s Army, PotterWatch style. Food and drink (including Butterbeer) will be available for sale on-site. Proceeds of the event will go to the Yule Ball fund. When: Saturday, Aug. 24 at noon. Where: Kinsmen Sports Centre, 9100 Walterdale Hill. Admission: Free. Info: edmontonpotterwatch.tumblr.comSupplied

Eugene Ripper: Eugene Ripper is something of a Canadian musical survivor, having started in the early ’80s with Toronto punk rockers Stark Naked and the Fleshtones. Ever since then he’s made his way around North America, settling down in various cities, honing what he calls “Fast Folk” music, hard-strummed acoustic folk music with the intensity of punk. His latest album, 2013’s Fast Folk Underground III (Quiet Light) shows him at the top of his game; he’ll be in town with Babysitter, Hag Face and Nolan Bossert. When: Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 9 p.m. Where: Wunderbar, 8120 101st St. Admission: $10. Info: wunderbar-edmonton.comSupplied

Afghan Mission Film Fest: In order to make the official record of the Afghan conflict include the unofficial human stories of the men and women of the Canadian Forces, a series of films have been gathered to remind Canadians, and those who served, that the human stories of this conflict, of any conflict, must be shared. The Afghan Mission Film Fest is on a cross-country tour with a number of short movies showing other sides of the mission that aren’t normally featured in the media. Films include Op Apollo, Homefront, Desert Lions and Waging Peace. When: Friday, Aug. 23, noon to 4 p.m. Where: Military Family Resource Centre, located in Bldg. 161, the Edmonton Garrison Community Centre on the corner of RR 244 and Mons Avenue. Admission: Free; please register by Friday at 780-973-4011, ext. 6300. Info: afghanistanacanadianstory.caSupplied

Fringe Festival: It’s nearing the end, and the most successful plays will be selling out, but there are still plenty of excellent productions to check out as the 32d season of the Fringe draws to a close. Take a look at online reviews, ask around among friends or even wander out on-site to ask other Fringegoers’ advice. If you’re intent on seeing the popular favourites keep an eye on the Journal for select festival holdovers; they’ll be announced on Friday and held at the ATB Financial Arts Barns between Wednesday, Aug. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 1. When: Until Sunday, Aug. 25. Where: Various venues. Admission: $12.50, general; $10, seniors and students, available at the website, the central box office in the ATB Financial Arts Barns, or at several satellite box offices (check online for a complete list.). Info: fringetheatreadventures.ca.Supplied

Audio/Visual Synthesis: Toronto’s Egyptrixx (above) headlines a night of audio/visual synthesis on a five-band bill that includes Edmontonian Jason Borys, who is celebrating the release of God Told Me To, his EP with Jeremy Greenspan. Other acts for the evening include, Wind Rose, a project of prominent local musician Gary James Joynes, and Shawn Pinchbeck, who incorporates multimedia elements involving video, live performers, dance, computer interactivity and multi-channel sound systems. SkruntSkrunt is a project of Dr. Abram Hindle, who will be performing an audio/video set of live coding, and opening will be Pigeon Breeders, an experimental drone trio specializing in improvised music that incorporates ambient, electroacoustic, noise and psychedelic elements. When: Thursday, Aug 22 at 7 p.m. Where: Pawn Shop, 10549 82nd Ave. Admission: $12 in advance, available at Yeglive. Info: yeglive.caSupplied

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